Ashley Burton
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Whats peoples experiences with either product?
Vactan seems to be popular in the boating community. But I did find a couple of posts on here about it. But not a wide range of detail/experienceNo idea what vactan is but I’ve used phosphoric acid for attacking rust. It comes in different concentrations. I’ve used the 37% concentration? For removing light rust it works well. Anything heavy you have to leave it to go black, scrape off and reapply and it slowly eats it away. Takes some patience.
I'm removing the majority of the crusty stuff, But want to treat the bare metal before paintingwhat are you hoping to do ?
removal is better than trying to convert it
I was relying to graffian. He says he has a problem with flash rusting after using Phosforic acid. I also use phosphoric acid, but dont get flash using, because the stuff I use also has Zinc Phosphate mixed with it.
The bits at top and middle seem okay with perhaps some evaporated out zinc phosphate showing. I just use a paint brush and keep reapplying the dripped off metal prep for 15 minutes and dont get these problems. My workshop/garage is pretty dry, apart from early spring warm days, so maybe thats why I dont get these problems.I kept it wet with metal prep for an hour or so and then washed it well and blew it dry. Is that rust I spy?
The bits at top and middle seem okay with perhaps some evaporated out zinc phosphate showing. I just use a paint brush and keep reapplying the dripped off metal prep for 15 minutes and dont get these problems. My workshop/garage is pretty dry, apart from early spring warm days, so maybe thats why I dont get these problems.
My only problem is the price of Metal Prep which is why I was going to mix my own. Any idea where one can get Zinc Phosphate other than dental supply places at some ridiculous price?
I think Vactan is like Fertan.
I tried Fertan as it's meant to be a good surface for the sealer I was going to use.
It didn't work as they say, it leaves a black surface and the black surface isn't
well stuck so I wouldn't bother coating or painting over it.
I couldn't agree more about the Fertan products. I've been trying to de-rust the inside of my Harley tank and, sadly, chose to go down the Fertan route. After using their Fedox rust removal product and then their Fertan Rust Converter product I was left with the inside of the tank covered in a black residue that was not very well adhered to the metal. Fertan UK suggested doing the whole process again which I did. Whilst most of the black residue came out by rinsing, and despite immediately putting the tank in my kitchen oven (the missus was out, hee hee) to dry it off, the tank began flash rusting again as soon as it was dry (the rust converter is claimed to prevent rust for months, but doesn't). At their request, I sent the tank to Fertan UK for treatment by them. They had it for 6 weeks before ringing me up and saying that they can't stop the tank flash rusting with their product and have now simply returned the tank back to me with surface rust inside. Fertan UK have suggested I find a service who will strip it internally with a strong acid dip.
I would not recommend use of the Fertan products for rust treatment, particularly the Fertan rust converter as it leaves a weakly bonded black residue that can't be overpainted without problems.